Docking accessory system for mobile electronic devices

Abstract

A docking accessory system for a mobile electronic device includes a platform having a docking-connector magnetic-attachment system formed beneath an external back surface of the platform, where the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system has an annular shape and comprises a magnetic element. The platform further includes an internal back portion opposite the external back surface of the platform, where the internal back portion faces a back surface of the mobile electronic device when coupled to the mobile electronic device, and a side portion that extends around at least a portion of a side of the mobile electronic device adjacent to the back surface of the mobile electronic device when the platform is coupled to the mobile electronic device. The docking accessory system includes an accessory operable as a stand for the mobile electronic device, and a power accessory configured to wirelessly transfer power to the mobile electronic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A docking accessory system for a mobile electronic device, the system comprising:
 a platform comprising:
 (i) a docking-connector magnetic-attachment system formed beneath an external back surface of the platform, wherein the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system has an annular shape and comprises a magnetic element, 
 (ii) an internal back portion opposite the external back surface of the platform, wherein the internal back portion faces a back surface of the mobile electronic device when coupled to the mobile electronic device, and 
 (iii) a side portion that extends around at least a portion of a side of the mobile electronic device adjacent to the back surface of the mobile electronic device when the platform is coupled to the mobile electronic device, 
   an accessory operable as a stand for the mobile electronic device; and   a power accessory configured to wirelessly transfer power to the mobile electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The docking accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to identify the power accessory based on accessory information that is wirelessly received from the power accessory. 
     
     
         3 . The docking accessory system of  claim 2 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to perform a function based on the accessory information. 
     
     
         4 . The docking accessory system of  claim 3 , wherein the function is specific to a type of the power accessory. 
     
     
         5 . The docking accessory system of  claim 4 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to make a determination as to whether the power accessory is magnetically attached to the mobile electronic device before performing the function based on the accessory information provided by the power accessory. 
     
     
         6 . The docking accessory system of  claim 5 , wherein the power accessory is configured to detachably attach to the platform. 
     
     
         7 . The docking accessory system of  claim 6 , wherein the power accessory comprises a first magnetic docking-connector portion operable to form a detachable attachment with the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system of the platform. 
     
     
         8 . The docking accessory system of  claim 7 , wherein the stand accessory is an extendable accessory configured to selectively extend outward from the platform and to retract back to the platform. 
     
     
         9 . The docking accessory system of  claim 8 , wherein the stand accessory is configured to detachably attach to the platform. 
     
     
         10 . The docking accessory system of  claim 9 , wherein the stand accessory comprises a second magnetic docking-connector portion operable to form a detachable attachment with the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system of the platform. 
     
     
         11 . The docking accessory system of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to make the determination as to whether the power accessory is magnetically attached to the mobile electronic device based on wireless communication with the power accessory using a wireless communication standard having a range of no greater than 4 cm. 
     
     
         12 . The docking accessory system of  claim 11 , wherein the power accessory comprises an accessory body, and wherein the detachable attachment of the first magnetic docking-connector portion to the docking connector magnetic attachment system is radially inward from outer edges of the accessory body. 
     
     
         13 . The docking accessory system of  claim 5 , wherein the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system comprises an aligning element distinct from the magnetic element, wherein the aligning element and the magnetic element are configured to jointly orient one or more compatible docking accessories on the external back surface of the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The docking accessory system of  claim 9 , wherein the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system comprises an aligning element distinct from the magnetic element, wherein the aligning element and the magnetic element are configured to jointly orient compatible docking accessories on the external back surface of the platform. 
     
     
         15 . The docking accessory system of  claim 12 , wherein the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system comprises an aligning element distinct from the magnetic element, wherein the aligning element and the magnetic element are configured to jointly orient compatible docking accessories on the external back surface of the platform. 
     
     
         16 . A docking accessory system for a mobile electronic device, the system comprising:
 a platform comprising:
 (i) a docking-connector magnetic-attachment system formed beneath an external back surface of the platform, wherein the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system has an annular shape and comprises a magnetic element, 
 (ii) an internal back portion opposite the external back surface of the platform, wherein the internal back portion faces a back surface of the mobile electronic device when coupled to the mobile electronic device, and 
 (iii) a side portion that extends around at least a portion of a side of the mobile electronic device adjacent to the back surface of the mobile electronic device when the platform is coupled to the mobile electronic device, 
   an accessory operable as a grip for the mobile electronic device; and   a power accessory configured to wirelessly transfer power to the mobile electronic device.   
     
     
         17 . The docking accessory system of  claim 16 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to identify the power accessory based on accessory information that is wirelessly received from the power accessory. 
     
     
         18 . The docking accessory system of  claim 17 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to perform a function based on the accessory information. 
     
     
         19 . The docking accessory system of  claim 18 , wherein the function is specific to a type of the power accessory. 
     
     
         20 . The docking accessory system of  claim 19 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to make a determination as to whether the power accessory is magnetically attached to the mobile electronic device before performing the function based on the accessory information provided by the power accessory. 
     
     
         21 . The docking accessory system of  claim 20 , wherein the power accessory is configured to detachably attach to the platform. 
     
     
         22 . The docking accessory system of  claim 21 , wherein the power accessory comprises a first magnetic docking-connector portion operable to form a detachable attachment with the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system of the platform. 
     
     
         23 . The docking accessory system of  claim 22 , wherein the grip accessory is an extendable accessory configured to selectively extend outward from the platform and to retract back to the platform. 
     
     
         24 . The docking accessory system of  claim 23 , wherein the grip accessory is configured to detachably attach to the platform. 
     
     
         25 . The docking accessory system of  claim 24 , wherein the grip accessory comprises a second magnetic docking-connector portion operable to form a detachable attachment with the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system of the platform. 
     
     
         26 . The docking accessory system of  claim 25 , wherein the mobile electronic device is configured to make the determination as to whether the power accessory is magnetically attached to the mobile electronic device based on wireless communication with the power accessory using a wireless communication standard having a range of no greater than 4 cm. 
     
     
         27 . The docking accessory system of  claim 26 , wherein the power accessory comprises an accessory body, and wherein the detachable attachment of the first magnetic docking-connector portion to the docking connector magnetic attachment system is radially inward from outer edges of the accessory body. 
     
     
         28 . The docking accessory system of  claim 20 , wherein the docking-connector magnetic-attachment system comprises an aligning element distinct from the magnetic element, wherein the aligning element and the magnetic element are configured to jointly orient one or more compatible docking accessories on the external back surface of the platform. 
     
     
         29 . The docking accessory system of  claim 24 , wherein the docking connector magnetic-attachment system comprises an aligning element distinct from the magnetic element, wherein the aligning element and the magnetic element are configured to jointly orient compatible docking accessories on the external back surface of the platform. 
     
     
         30 . The docking accessory system of  claim 27 , wherein the docking connector magnetic-attachment system comprises an aligning element distinct from the magnetic element, wherein the aligning element and the magnetic element are configured to jointly orient compatible docking accessories on the external back surface of the platform.